Responding to the petition the Home Office said those who assault animals can already receive a penalty of up to 10 years in jail. A statement said: "Under some circumstances assaults on support animals could be treated as criminal damage, allowing for penalties of up to 10 years' imprisonment.

"An additional offence dealing specifically with attacks on police animals may not result in more prosecutions or increased sentences."

But Conservative MP David Mackintosh, who is presenting the debate on Monday as he sits on the Petitions Committee, said the law should reflect the status "of our brave and courageous animals".

He said: "When you look at their current status, assaults on police dogs and horses are treated in the same way as criminal damage.

"We are putting police dogs and horses on the same level as police cars and riot vans, and I think that's wrong.

"This should be looked at in a way that reflects the status of our brave and courageous animals who help us fight against criminality."

In some parts of the US attacks on dogs are treated the same as attacks on their human handlers.

Mr Mackintosh said ministers should look at giving greater protection to animals, although he said there would be problems giving them the same status as humans.